In many ways David James is unique in football, keen on poetry and art his cultured leanings often cause surprise amongst his fellow professionals. However James is more of a typical footballer than you’d think and last week the Portsmouth and England Keeper talked about his earlier gambling days.
“It all began when I first chucked 10p into a slot machine as a 16 year old Watford apprentice. The machines were in the café next to the stadium. I’d go in most days, order an all day grill for £1.50 and spend my change in the fruity. I liked the flashing lights and could never win enough. I was terrible. Borrowing fivers off the other apprentices to feed the habit” said James.
The 36 year old shot stopper went on to explain how other than the occasional low stake card game he never really partakes in any meaningful gambling these days and when he does its purely for the social aspect. James feels strongly that footballers in the UK are often blamed for promoting a culture of gambling addiction, an opinion he feels vehemently opposed to.
He said “It’s ridiculous to say, as the media so often do, that Premiership footballers who gamble are gambling addicts leading others astray. The majority of us can enjoy a game of cards, or a punt at the bookies without repercussions. Contrary to all the sensationalist stories, there isn’t a gambling culture in football disproportionate to that in the rest of society.”
James said he enjoyed the majority of his card playing days when with Liverpool and in recent seasons he and Michael Owen would play against each other while on England Duty.
The Portsmouth keeper says education is the key to preventing gambling players becoming gambling addicts saying “For some gambling becomes an addiction and a demon. But condemning footballers for enjoying a few card games with money they can afford to spend is a distraction from the real issues. As is the current effort to ban super casinos. I’m worried about obesity in this country but I don’t believe we should ban junk food. Our kids need education on the issues.. The message to people who routinely have a go at footballers has to be look at the bigger picture. They need to leave off the sensationalism and put effort into pushing for an education programme for schools and sports academies.”
